Good morning. I still have a ways to go but as my latest project moves forward I am thinking of finish. My daughter plays D1 softball and has a wooden bat that has some sayings she likes on it. So I jointed some Purple Heart together, my neighbor is a professional artist and will be painting her schools logo and mascot on it with oil paint. I am going sand to 120 thinking this would be smooth to the touch but also allow the paint something to ‘grab’ onto. 
 

with this in mind would a simple poly be the best final finish? I really would like to keep the sheen down. Thoughts? 
 

thanks

Semi gloss water based poly would probably be a good choice. If you are going to put a finish on the bat, I'd stay away from any solvent type finish as it might affect some of the inscriptions.

I am leaving the bat alone. When she bought it it was already finished. Thank you.

Kev, I think I am confused, you are not going to turn a bat.  You are making a plaque type of thing for the school logo & mascot?

My initial thought was you were turning a bat.  I will let others more knowledgeable weigh in on the finishing.

I apologize if I was unclear. I am just wondering the best way to seal the Purple Heart with the painting on it.

Because the artist is using enamel type paint, I would stick with an enamel type, spray on clear coat. @kmealy is our resident finishing expert, so maybe he will jump in and provide the definitive answer.

IMO I wouldn't put a finish on top of the paint.  I assume the bat will only be a momento and will not be handled in the painted area.  Danl

Oil-based finishes, including poly, are likely to amber too much and ruin the paint's hue.

Lacquer has some aggressive solvents that could damage the oil paint underneath.

 

Water-based acrylic is generally the clearest.   Since you are applying over oil paint, give the paint a good amount of time to dry first. That would be my choice.

 

Cardinal rule : test on some scrap first.

9 hours ago, kmealy said:

Oil-based finishes, including poly, are likely to amber too much and ruin the paint's hue.

Lacquer has some aggressive solvents that could damage the oil paint underneath.

 

Water-based acrylic is generally the clearest.   Since you are applying over oil paint, give the paint a good amount of time to dry first. That would be my choice.

 

Cardinal rule : test on some scrap first.

Thank you for the information.

The picture stinks as the sun was going down but here is the dry fit before final sanding and off to the artist.

Looks awesome. Can't wait to see it with the finished artwork.